Stationary cutter with rotary drum feed for cutting sugar cane into seed lengths



Dec. 1 l,'-1,948.

, R. J. MOYLE 2,456,528 STATIONARY CUTTER WITH ROTARY DRUMFEED y FOR CUTTING SUGAR GANE INTO SEED LENGTHS Filed 001:. 16, 1946 2 Sheets- Sheet 1 Dec. 14, 1948. R. J. MOYLE 2,456,528

STATIONARY CUTTER WITH ROTARY DRUM FEED FOR (JUTTING SUGAR CANE INTO SEED LENGTHS Filed Oct. 16, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Dec; 14, 1948 STATIONARY CUTTER WITH ROTARY DRUM FEED FOR CUTTING SUGAR CANE INTO' SEED LENGTHS Robert Joseph Moyle, Innisfail, Queensland,

Australia Application October is, 1946, Serial No. 703,597 In Australia April 3, 1945 3 Claims. (01.1:46-166) This invention relates to a machine for planting seed-pieces or cuttings in the cultivation of sugar cane, in: an effective, expeditious and economical manner.

In the cultivation of sugar cane it is usual to plant the seed-pieces in parallel rows and at spaced distances apart in each row, and in effecting such planting it, is customary practice to carry stalks or lengths of cane upon a suitable wheeled transport drawn by a tractive vehicle. An operative who travels on the transport, cuts seed-pieces from the cane and as the vehicle travels, drops them at intervals into the planting furrow.

Obviously, such a method of planting is laborious and being largely dependent on the skill and judgment of the operative results in irregularities in alignment and uneven spacing of the seed-pieces, so that the same are apt to be set too widely apart or too closely together. Moreover, the height through which the seed-pieces are dropped is considerable and is apt to cause inaccurate planting.

' Planting machines have been devised whereby the operative is relieved of the work of cutting the cane lengths into seed-pieces for planting, but the determination of the linear dimensions of the pieces and the spacing apart of the same in the furrow still remains dependent upon the judgment and skill of the operative.

Now the principal objective of the present invention is the provision of a planting mechanism of simple construction which may be mounted upon a tractive vehicle or incorporated in a separate implement, whereby cane lengths fed by the operative are automatically cut to form seed-pieces, of equal gauged dimension which are dropped a minimum height and at evenly spaced distances apart into the planting furrow.

In achieving the above-stated principal objective and according to the invention, there is provided in a power driven vehicle or agricultural implement, a planting mechanism forsugar cane comprising a movable member to receive a cane stalk at a charging position, and cutting means to and against which the cane stalk is conveyed by the movable member to sever a seedpiece of predetermined length, said severed seed-piece being carried by the movable member to and discharged at a furrow feeding position. The movable member in carrying a cane stalk from the charging position to the cutting means and the severed seed-piece from the cutting means to 'the feeding position, may continuously rotate, or oscillate arcually, or reciprocate rectilinearly.

v The movable member may comprise a series of compartments to receive the end of a cane stalk in succession at the charging position and carry the same to the cutting means, and then transfer the severed seed-pieces individually to the feeding position. Alternatively, the movable member may comprise a single container which receives the cane stalk at the charging position, carries the stalk to the cutting means and then transfers the severed end to the feeding position and thereafter returns to the charging position.

In a practical arrangement, the movable member rotates continuously and is provided with radial compartments open at the outer ends, and the cutting means comprises a fixed knife which in co-operation with the edge of each compartment severs a portion of the cane stalk inserted therein to form a seed-piece equivalent in length to the distance between the knife and the inner end or base of the compartments. A

' gauge at the base of each compartment may be stalk.

To retain the seed-pieces in the open compartments as the former are carried from the cutting knife to the feeding position, the rotating ing member and forms a closure for the open compartments. At the feeding position the guard is provided with an opening through which the seed-pieces gravitate from the open compartments in succession into the furrow.

To facilitate the insertion of the cane stalks into the moving compartments by an operative, there is provided a movable guide member which travels with the cane stalk in opposition to a spring whereby upon severance of each seedpiece, the guide is returned to a normal position, the cane stalk meanwhile being retained in the guide for insertion of the cane stalk by the operative into the succeeding compartment for the cutting of the next seed-piece. I The invention will be more readily understood from the following description of the practical arrangement of planting mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the planting mechanism mounted'upon' a tractive vehicle and operable by a rotary axle of the latter.

Fig. 2 is a transverse section of the planting mechanism on the line 2-2 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 2 of the planting mechanism incorporated in a separate implement'and operatively connected with an axle. of a: tractive' vehicle :towing :the .implement.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional detail on a larger scale on the line 4-4 in Figs. 2 and 3.

Fig. 5 is a further fragmentary. detail. in elevation as indicated by the line 5-5;in'Fig.- 1.

In these drawings, the numeral 5 designates generally a rotary member or drum having circular discal plates or discs *6 -and'l-dispo'sedi-in parallel relation, the disc i being secured td-a sleeve 8 fixed to the aXle 9340f the tractivemvheel Ml of the vehicle to rotate therewith.

The space between the discs 6 and Us divided into a number of compartments H by "substantially radial partitions l2 which extend between and are secured by welding, or other-wise; to the discs 5 and I.

-Also secured to --and extending between the -discs 5 and l are guides -l3-,-the-purpose of which will appear hereinafter.

-Fixed at-the inner ends of the partitions [2 inthe discs Band I, see Fig. 4. --By-releasingthe -bolts it, the gauge-block l5-may be moved near- -=er to or further fromthe periphery of :the: drum 5- and secured 'in adjusted --psition by retightening the bolts l B.

Secured closelyto but clear. of the :periphery of f the rotary: drum: is a knife 18- which :is fixed to a mounting plate I I9 adjustably secured by clamping screws-2ll to a bracket 2 I fixedtfirmly .to the .tractive. vehicle,*Fig. 2,'or to .theftframe 22 .of the implement, Fig; 3. 'TheadjuStabIe 1 mounting: plate t l 9 .enables the knife [8' towbe'set amore or less. closely to the peripheryrpf "171167 drum .q5,= and said-plate; may: be readily removed for-the purpose of sharpening or replacing theifknife Pivotally supported on the; bracket 2 his an arm .23 substantially radial;in relation to .the:drum 5 and carrying at the outer end 24- a tubular guide .25 having a flared mouth piece or funnel26,for a .purpose referred .to hereinafter.

The arm 23 carries a transverse bar2'l which at one end is connected by a spring .28 to..a..lug

... '-9 fixed to the bracket 2| and attheother .end -carries an adjustable stop screwtflwhich by contact with the bracket maintains the army 23 and the guide .25 in a normal. position under the influence of the spring 28.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 3,; the implement frame 22 at one end is supported by a pastor wheel 3! and said frame. at the opposite end is concentrically pivoted about the" axle 9 of-the towing vehicle.

The drum-5 is secured to a shaft 32 rotatably -mounted in a bearing fixed to the'fra-me 22am operatively connected with the rotating axle 9 of the towing vehicleby equal sprockets" 33 and 34 connectedby a transmission chain-35, whereby the drum 5 revolves atthe same-speed and in .;the same direction as theax1e 9 and -wheel' lfl of the;towing vehicle.

:In operation; the drum 5rshown in fFig. :2 or Fig. 3 'rotatesinunison with the -wheel :IO' as-ithe tractive vehiclet'or atheimplementztravels and the 4 compartments ll move in succession past the guide 25 and the knife l8.

Lengths or stalks of sugar cane are carried conveniently to an operative sitting upon the 5 seat 36 located adjacently to the planting mechanism; whoatakes each stalk indicated by- 31 in .turn andithrusts the-lsame through the guide 25 into a compartment ll moving past the former, wentry of the stalk into the guide being facilitated -10. by .the tapered mouth piece 26 .carries the-latter. and therewith the guide 25 ;-.-towardsj the knife 18.

Upon contact of the stalk with the knife the former-is severed between the latter and the edge of the partition l2.

wAs the'-:guide'22 5 is =moved bythe stalk, :the' stop o screwftu moves awayifromthebracket 2 l .andthe spring :2 8 "becomes ifurther tensioned and immediately the stalk is severed carries :theguide backtc the:normal position -and :therewith the 1 end 'ofithe stalkiwhichremains in. said guide .and us delivered --.by-'gravity assisted zrbyi theoperative E into the ;followingwompartment, ='whereupon:1the -=cutting operatiomis repeated.

3o -l ne seed pieces;lindicat'edby i38, cut fromfithe -stalk 3l-as :describe'd are-carried' forwardly from -"-'the kriife IB in whe -compartments".H andxare retainedl-thereon "by: a guarol plate 1 orwshield 39 concentric with the drum 5.

.nAs lithe :scompartmentszr approach s the tlowest :ipoint YlI'I'ftheiiIBVOIUfiOIIiDf Lthe :drurn-L 5, Zthe seedpieces'.1i38: falltone byi one through an :opening .540 in thezguardipl'ateisaintoxthel lanting furrow wand ares'spaced thereimiate-eventdistances apart.

e'Moreover', zas; :the. aopening :Mlris ..positioned;t1ow

' :inoving: lrearwardlycin: zrel'ationiito thelforward motion of the vehicle ordmplement xthe seew pieces .38:-;.are-. depositedlugentlymand :regularly to 45.=:.lie;.;a1ong1tthe .hGttOmT-DfILthB{.flllZTOW. =s' At- .the :chargi-ngtposition;=the:guard 13132136 39 :is: provided witlr;:an-1 opening- 5.4 t of sufficient zcircumferential iextent; to provide foremovement: ofasthe guide; 25

1:andrcanesstalkfl;during:each cutting-operation.

A sliding,ioripivotedadoor unotlshownxrrnayi be -;,-providedatoiclose'thezopening:llftgif forany-qreason gittisgdesiredzito iretainzxthesseedepieceszfisi within :the";compartments;::e. r;g.a;as when turning upon :1. and :traversing i headland.

As. shown-ini:liigs.-' ZeandB, athe drum i5 'lS driven atxthegsamespeed; enantequalinumber of revo- Jutions perminutegaas:the;wheelzlflrbutrit ispossi- 1: blegto :zdriveithe drumr5 :atnvariable tspeedswrelartztively' to-zsaidiwheel :bytatherprovision';:ofieappropriate gearing, thus for instance, by increasing a..'-.the;size.of.thesprnoketfls theurum may bejdriven a more slowlyatharr .theztvheeh all)cwithrxthenconse- :zquencerthat therseedepiecessare :laid: in; the fur- .srow at-wider intervals apart. .-.;In eaohrof :tha;arrangements-hereindescribed send illustratecl; :thereis::provided;;a continuously .rrotating memberzdividedi intoaiplurality ofstalkn receiving:xcompartmentse irbuta: a1- mem-be'r; having u'one. compartment: :only; z-may bemused; and the :amemberimaymontinuously*rotatecor sai-dzmember prma woscillatez. or sreciprocate: :toxmoye: the: com- :partment :tow:and frorbetween ;the: phargingjand 1 feedingposit-ions;

'I::=.Moreover;inithe;aboveldescribedtarrangements, 755.:a1fixe'd;knife':l8 iszprovided:forzsevering theccane stalks, but a reciprocating knife or a saw may be used if required.

The planting mechanism herein described may obviously be employed for planting other crops than sugar cane wherein the growth or strike originates from seed-pieces or cuttings which may be cut from stalks to gauged lengths and fed to a planting furrow.

I claim:

1. In an agriculture implement, a planting mechanism for sugar cane and the like comprising a rotary member having a horizontal axis, radially extendingcompartments formed in the member each adapted to receive a cane stalk upon rotation of the member to a charging position, means for rotating the member, a stationary cutting blade located parallel to the axis of the rotary member adjacent the periphery of the same in a position to sever the cane stalk as it is carried thereagainst during rotation of the member, movable guide means adjacent the periphery of the rotary member and spaced radially beyond the cutting blade arranged to direct successive lengths of the cane stalk into successive compartments during rotation of the member, spring means biasing said guide means toward normal operating position, and means for supporting said guide means for movement by the portion of the cane in the respective compartments against spring bias from a normal operating position in the front of the cutting blade toward the cutting blade to accommodate severance of the cane stalk and to return the guide means to normal operating position upon severance.

2. In an agricultural implement, a planting mechanism for sugar cane and the like comprising a rotary member having a horizontal axis, radially extending compartments formed in the member each adapted to receive a cane stalk upon rotation of the member to a charging position, means for rotating the member, a stationary cutting blade located parallel to the axis of the rotary member adjacent the periphery of the same in a position to sever the cane stalk as it is carried thereagainst during rotation of the member, movable guide means adjacent the periphery of the rotary member and spaced radially beyond the cutting blade arranged to direct successive lengths of the cane stalk into successive compartments during rotation of the member, pivot means supporting said guide means for movement by the portion of the cane in the respective compartments from a normal operating position in front of the cutting blade toward the 6 cutting blade to accommodate severance of the cane stalk in the compartment from. the portion remaining in the guide means, and spring means biasing said guide means to return to its normal operating position to permit feeding a succeeding length of cane to a succeeding compartment.

3. In an agricultural implement, a planting mechanism for sugar cane and the like comprising a rotary member having a horizontal axis, radially extending compartments formed in the member each adapted to receive a cane stalk upon rotation of the member to a charging position, means for rotating the member, a

stationary cutting blade located parallel to the axis of the rotary member adjacent the periphery of the same in a position to sever the cane stalk as it is carried thereagainst during rotation of the member, movable guide means adjacent the periphery of the rotary member and spaced radially beyond the cutting blade arranged to direct successive lengths of the cane stalk into successive compartments during rotation of the member, pivot means supporting said guide means for movement by the portion of the cane in the respective compartments from a normal operating position in front of the cutting blade toward the cutting blade to accommodate severance of the cane stalk in the compartment from the portion remaining in the guide means, spring means biasing said guide means to return to its normal operating position to permit feeding a succeeding length of cane to a succeeding compartment, and an adjusting gauge in each compartment remote from the cutter to Vary the length of the severed stalk.

ROBERT JOSEPH MO-YLE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 358,188 Davidson Feb. 22, 1887 513,807 Martinez Jan. 30, 1894 667,386 Coats Feb. 5, 1901 1,058,116 Thompson Apr. 8, 1913 1,726,139 Blasco et al Aug. 27, 1929 1,897,66 Hansen Feb. 14, 1933 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 100,757 Australia Apr. 8, 1937 107,415 Australia May 25, 1939 

